Advance Your

Dental Assistant

Career

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Ready to begin your career journey or have more questions? Connect with a Workforce Training Specialist today!
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14 Weeks

PROGRAM LENGTH

$4,000.00*

Pay In Full

TUITION

*You can pay as little as $262 per month. For full payment options and different financing plans, including interest rates from external lenders, please talk to our enrollment team.

WHAT DOES A DENTAL ASSISTANT DO?

The role of a dental assistant is to assist the dentist and dental hygienist in a number of ways, and they are significant members of the dental practice team. Their responsibilities include recording preliminary vital signs and symptoms, scheduling appointments, taking x-rays, performing diagnostic testing, creating molds for laboratory procedures, and helping the dentist with all patient procedures and visits. 

In many practices, a dental assistant may inform patients of instructions for aftercare procedures and follow up with them by calling. With a dentist’s direction, dental assistants may perform coronal polishing, topical anesthetic application, and applying sealant and fluoride.

dental assistant helping old patient

Where Does A Dental Assistant Work?

Almost all dental assistants work in dentists’ offices.

two dental assistants helping out female patient

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED

Web browser with internet connection

Course registration & payment

Training Materials Provided

Expert-led video based training

eBook: Modern Dental Assisting (Saunders 13th Edition, Copyright 2021)

Competency assessments

National Certification exam fee

DENTAL ASSISTANT

Outcomes

Between 2020-2030, the job market for dental assistants is estimated to increase by 11%, more rapidly on average when compared to all jobs. Each year, there are almost 44,000 job openings, according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

 

In 2020, a dental assistant’s median annual wage was $41,180, and the top 10% made over $58,390, reports the BLS.

Skills Learned

Upon completion of our Dental Assistant program you’ll learn a number of skills, including:

  • Recognize proper infection control procedures, hand washing, sterilization of equipment, disinfection of operatories and use of personal protective equipment (PPE), per Standard and Universal precautions
  • Identify important head, neck and oral anatomy related to patient care, including anomalies and radiographic landmarks
  • Demonstrate essential dental assisting skills needed for patient preparation, measurement of vital signs and four-handed dentistry as well as the dental assistant’s role in medical emergencies
  • Classify clinical tools, techniques and materials used in four-handed dentistry
  • Discuss tooth numbering systems, dental charting and scheduling patients according to treatment plan
  • Explain informed consent and patient education including oral hygiene instruction and post-treatment care
  • Ensure HIPAA, OSHA, FDA and EPA compliance and follow CDC recommendations as applicable to protected health information, infection control, radiation safety, workplace safety and controls and documentation
  • Apply operator and patient radiation safety principles and address patient safety concerns
  • Demonstrate basic knowledge of radiology, including guidelines, regulations and quality assurance in radiographic imaging and mounting

COURSES - 14 WEEKS

PROGRAM PREVIEW

Professionalism in Allied Health
Infection Control in Dental Healthcare Settings
Dental Anatomy, Morphology and Physiology
Dental Assisting Essentials
Radiation Health and Safety in Dentistry

REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT JOB POSSIBILITIES

Laboratory Assistant

$26,000 – $49,000
ESTIMATED SALARY

Healthcare worker helping old man

Dental Assistant 

$19,000 – $45,000
ESTIMATED SALARY

dental sale rep talking with client

Dental Sales Representative 

$22,000 – $72,000
ESTIMATED SALARY

CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

The Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) credential is awarded by the private certification organization, American Medical Technologists (AMT), and taken in addition to any state licensing or regulatory requirements.

ISSUING AUTHORITY

RDA

Registered
Dental Assistant

The purpose of this exam is to demonstrate entry-level competence in basic dental assisting duties; it does not qualify candidates for any advanced procedures or expanded functions in the role of dental assisting.

PLEASE NOTE: This program does not qualify for Dental Assistant licensing in the state of Montana. Each state’s dental board implements rules and regulations for delegating legally allowable duties to dental assistants. Passing the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) exam only conveys authority to perform these duties in those states that recognize these exams or this certification as meeting state dental assisting requirements.

DENTAL ASSISTANT PAYMENT OPTIONS

In addition to the following payment options, we offer special corporate volume pricing. Visit the Corporate page for details.

Pay in full using any major credit card, PayPal, or Venmo. Select “credit card” as your payment option.

Apply for PayPal Credit and pay zero interest if your balance is paid in full within 6-months. Complete a quick application and you’ll receive a credit decision within seconds.

Pay for your training with an education loan through Meritize.

Complete the course registration process to reserve your seat using one of these options.

 

Many employers have education programs or will pay for continued education! Select “Corporate Invoice” if you need an invoice to process payment through company training tuition assistance/reimbursement plans. 

DO YOU NEED HELP PAYING FOR YOUR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM?​

Many employers offer education assistance programs. Download the brochures to show your employer the benefit of upskilling their employees.

PROGRAM COMPARISONS

PROFESSIONAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Community College
Program & Tuition Cost
$5,000 average
Up to $20,000
Exam Fees, Books & Materials
Included
Up to $750
Job Ready In
3–6 months
24–48 months
Schedule Flexibility
On-demand 24/7
Set class schedule
Travel Requirements
None: 100% online
On-campus classrooms
Student Support
Personal Advisors: text, call and email access
Professors: scheduled office hours
Career Coaching
Exam-tailor + soft-skill training to build well-rounded careers
Exam-based + prerequisites and electives to meet credit
Content Delivery
3D animations, immersive environments, interactive activities, game-based learning
Professor lectures

MEET YOUR WORKFORCE TRAINING SPECIALIST!

April is your Workforce Training Specialist. She is here to help you understand your program of study, payment options, and succeed! Get in touch with her to learn more about your program, Professional Workforce Development, and how to achieve your workforce development goals!

FAQ

Top skills a Dental Assistant should possess include great communication, listening, attention to details, dexterity, organization, basic computer knowledge, and passion for helping patients

Dental Assistant responsibilities include assisting with and providing direct patient care, sterilizing instruments, taking impressions, exposing dental X-rays from dental diagnostics, and performing office management tasks. While working under the direction of a dentist, assistants may perform a variety of tasks such as coronal polishing, sealant application, fluoride application, and topical anesthetic application.

Many Dental Assistants will tell you that there is no typical day because every day brings something different. Depending on where you work, you may perform many tasks including providing care to patients, setting up for dental procedures, and running the front office. Your responsibilities very much depend on the dentist you work for.

You can work full-time or part-time as a Dental Assistant. Your position specifics and working hours will be determined by both your needs and the needs of your employer. Dental Assistants can choose to work at one office or multiple offices to accommodate their personal schedule.

Dental Assistants check-in the patient and prepare them for their appointment while a dental hygienist works directly with the patient to clean their teeth and check their mouth for any dental hygiene issues.

Interested In Another Program?

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Washington Adventist University provides the highest quality training in order to best serve students and surrounding communities. Our specialized career training programs provide up-to-date and in-demand skills, preparation and certification, ensuring that everyone who completes our programs is of the highest caliber.